Debt-ridden man steals autorickshaw to ply it, arrested

TNN | Updated: Oct 27, 2018, 6:43 IST

Picture used for representational purpose only

CHENNAI: A 39-year-old man, who stole an autorickshaw from Tambaram and used the vehicle to ferry passengers in Santhome, was arrested on Thursday. Police said A Jayakumar, 39, from Vellore, was intercepted by the Marina patrol police as he did not have documents for the vehicle. Though he claimed the documents were at home, police grew suspicious and took him to the station for inquiry. During interrogation, police found that burdened by financial difficulties, he decided to steal the auto. “He used a duplicate key and stole an autorickshaw that was parked near a crowded market in Tambaram. He then used it to ply passengers from Santhome,” said an investigating officer. Police said the vehicle number of the auto rickshaw matched with a missing vehicle complaint lodged at Tambaram police station on September 19.

He informed police that it was his first offence and he never overcharged passengers or took rides to Tamabaram as he feared he might get caught. Police said he did not sell the vehicle as he did not have any documents even to forge. The Marina police arrested Jayakumar and remanded him in judicial custody.